Employee Contributions to the CHS Community

Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) employees have a long tradition of generosity when it comes to both cash contributions and volunteer work. As an example, during 2012 CHS employees collectively donated more than $4.68 million to local and regional charities. Despite the impact of a prolonged recession, this giving total was the highest in CHS history, with specific results as follows:

Arts and Culture organizations in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Union and York counties.

$699,879

Children's Miracle Network

$1,472,555

United Way

$2,513,521

Total Giving

$4,684,955

Employees also dedicated 55,000 volunteer service hours to support local community service projects, including a Habitat for Humanity house built by the Men’s Diversity Leadership Group.

Donations to Second Harvest included more than 53,000 pounds of healthy snacks and food items, resulting in 33,000 meals served to residents of Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Union and York Counties. Additionally, newly hired employees assembled 2,000 backpacks, stuffed with food for low income children, during new employee orientation sessions.

Staff donated more than 99,000 school supplies to benefit low income children in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Lincoln, Anson, Gaston, Cleveland and York Counties. During the holiday season, more than 600 employees volunteered to serve meals, organize parties and distribute gifts to children, seniors and the homeless. Holiday Cheer benefited more than 3,000 individuals and families in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.

Creating a Healthier Tomorrow

More than 200 employees from CMC-NorthEast in Concord, In cooperation with Trees Charlotte, employees assisted in planting 300 new trees at Southside Community and Marie G. Davis Academy. This new partnership supports a healthier urban environment and enhances the city’s celebrated tree canopy.

The year 2012 marked the tenth anniversary of leadership in building playgrounds for under-resourced schools, working in partnership with area businesses. Paw Creek Elementary was the beneficiary school. Also, more than 100 employees volunteered for clean-up efforts along a three-mile stretch of walking trail on Sugar Creek Greenway.

Carolinas HealthCare System Cleveland and Cleveland HealthCare Foundation served 18 elementary schools through a 12-week program called Kid Tips. Working in conjunction with Safe Kids Cleveland County, staff members taught safety classes to 1,350 kindergarteners and fitted all with free bicycle helmets.

Efforts to encourage personal responsibility for health intensified in greater Charlotte and at other venues throughout the Carolinas. For example, employees at St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, NC and Murphy Medical Center in Murphy, NC increased their number of health screenings, educational workshops and other outreach activities related to diet and exercise. Particular attention was given to patients with high blood pressure, cancer, stroke and heart disease.

Charitable Giving

Carolinas HealthCare System donated more than $1.2 million in medical supplies and equipment to non-profit organizations. Refurbished cellular telephones were donated to domestic violence victims, while generous contributions were made to the Salvation Army and Loaves & Fishes.

Cone Health held a day of celebration in Greensboro called People of Excellence. Participating employees received gift bags, including 12 that contained a “golden ticket.” Each ticket entitled its recipient to donate $1,000 to a charity of personal choice.

Clinical staff at Murphy Medical Center followed up on a new suggestion in 2012, to help young patients feel more comfortable in a hospital setting. Each pediatric patient received a copy of “Franklin Goes to the Hospital,” a popular children’s book about a turtle whose shell was cracked during a soccer game. Pediatric nurses signed each book, leaving each child with a memento, as well as an aid to faster recovery.